COLTS NECK, N.J., April 17, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Retro Fitness founder and CEO Eric Casaburi has spent the better part of his adult life building a fitness franchise based on the principles of perseverance, integrity, honesty and cleanliness. Now, the personal and professional journey of this tough and highly energetic Jersey native will unfold on national television as he gets a front-line look at the inner workings of his Retro Fitness chain in the hit CBS series "Undercover Boss," Friday, April 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
"Our success is highly attributed to our franchise owners, and it's very important that they are receiving the support they need," Casaburi said. "We make it a top priority to provide everything our franchisees need to succeed, and going undercover allowed me to see how this is being executed."
Casaburi's journey in the fitness industry began at the young age of 13 when he got his hands dirty and started working as a floor cleaner at a local health club. He moved through the ranks and continued working at various health clubs while attending college, eventually opening his first gym at age 23.
Applying all of his knowledge and experience in the fitness industry, Casaburi then created the Retro Fitness concept, meticulously designed from his likes and dislikes and what he thought his target audience would respond to. Casaburi decided to franchise the concept to provide a growth path for the brand and a way for Retro Fitness to provide the American Dream to other entrepreneurs interested in the fitness industry. Today, the brand has grown to over 90 gyms in 12 states.
"Going undercover allowed me see if our locations are operating within our brand's standards of top-notch customer service and cleanliness," Casaburi said. "If Retro Fitness is going to continue to grow and expand at the current rapid pace, it's imperative that our foundation of integrity remains intact."
Each week, the Emmy Award winning "Undercover Boss," which is in its fourth season, follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees, they see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering and rewarding the unsung heroes who make their companies run.
The general public is invited to get a cardio workout and watch the episode live at their local Retro Fitness, which are equipped with giant projection screens in the gyms' theatre rooms.
About Retro Fitness
Founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Eric Casaburi, Retro Fitness has evolved from a regional Northeast gym concept into a national fitness system with nearly 90 gyms in operation in 11 states. Expansion plans call for 150 gyms in the next three years and growth into new major markets such as Maryland, New York, Virginia, Washington D.C., California, North Carolina and Michigan. Each Retro Fitness location is equipped with a full-service fitness center including 60-100 pieces of equipment supplied by leading manufacturers such as Life Fitness and Iron Grip. In 2012, Retro Fitness saw its third-consecutive placement on the Entrepreneur "Franchise 500" annual ranking. The company has also been recognized as one of the "Top Fastest-Growing Franchises" and "Top New Franchises" by the publication. For more information, please visit www.retrofitness.net, and to learn more about franchise opportunities visit www.retrofranchising.com.